256 CONIROSTRES. 



admirably adapted for wrencliing asunder tlie scales 

 of the cones ; it also enables tlieni to slit open apples 

 and pears for tlie purpose of obtaining the pips, 

 and they thus occasionally commit great havoc in 

 orchards. 



Their nest is built among the branches of pine- 

 trees, and is composed of straws, with a few twigs 

 upon the outside, and a lining of fine grass and hair 

 within. The young birds, while in the nest, do not 

 present the peculiar crossing of the mandibles cha- 

 racteristic of the adult, this being unnecessary to 

 them so long as they are supplied with food by their 

 parent. In confinement these birds are very parrot- 

 like in many of their actions, frequently climbing 

 about the wires of the cage w4th their hooked bill ; 

 hence they are sometimes called German Parrots. 

 In Germany, where they are abundant. Crossbills 

 constitute a favourite article of food, and are regu- 

 larly exposed for sale in the markets. 



The Common Crossbill {Loxia curvirostra) is by no 

 means of uiifrequent occurrence in the northern parts of 

 our own country. These birds feed principally on the seeds 

 of various kmds of firs, which they extract from the cone 

 by the joint action of their beak and tongue. The alder 

 and other trees are sometimes visited, and they liave been 

 noticed to resort to thistles and pick out the seeds from 

 them. Theu' mode of operation is this : they first fix 

 themselves across the cone, then bring the points of their 

 mandibles from a crossed or lateral position to be imme- 

 diately over each other ; in tliis reduced compass they in- 

 sinuate their beak between the scales, and then opening 

 them, not in the usual manner, but by drawing the 

 inferior mandible sideways, force open the scales. At 

 this stage, the end of the tongaie becomes necessary, and 

 this organ is uo less admmibly adapted for the service 

 i-equired. While the points of the beak press the scale 

 from the body of the cone, the tongue is enabled to direct 

 and insert its cutting scoop underneath the seed, and the 

 food thus dislodged is trp.iisferred to the mouth. When 

 the mandibles are separated laterally in the performance 

 of this operation, the bird has an uninterrupted view of 



